Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-03-12

stroit Free Press
1 was a British subject when ar
rived at Wilmington in the winter OF
1863 I had fought for the south from
the first Bull Run TO Gettysburg and had
ain in winter quarters at Petersburg,
Va, for several months. but IN all that
me 1 had never been mustered into the
service and had never taken the oath OF
allegiance to the southern contederacy.
I had procured the Official permit signed
by Seldom, the confederate secretary Of
war, to leave the confsderacy by sea,
asbut not by land" and so the only safe
CD way of getting home was by block
ade runner.
L sholled into the office Of the Bee
company Of Charleston, since the former
port was closed up, and there preferred
nv request. After a little conversation
my request was cheerfully and kindly
granted, as above related, by Mr.. Mitch
ell, the agent Of the line. thanked
him gratefully, and on the appointed day
took my stand In the upper deck OF the
blockade steamer Fanny, formerly the
Lord Clyde, an iron packet which once
piled between Glasgow and Dublin. She
was lying in the stream and bouud for
Nassau.
Around me on either shore OF the deep
but narrow river in front OF the city were
about twenty long, low, iron paddle
wheel, Clyde built steamers, each paint
ed dead whits-hull, cabin, wheel house
and smoke stack. The cOlored steve
dores were filing the holds OF the out
going steamers with tobacco and cotton,
the latter being worth in Europe at that
time 40 TO so cents per pound in gold.
From the steamers which had arrived IN
the morning, after running the blockade
during the darkness OF the night, they
were unloading cases OF dress goods,
calicoes, gray cloth for army uniforms
kegs Of baking soda, chests OF tea, bags
OF coffee, packages Of pepper and other
spices, boxes Of boots and shoes and
cases OF quinine, morphine and Other
dIugs-an OF which were very scarce In
the south.
A dozen confederate soldiers headed by
a daudy little lieutenant went through
the Fanny looking for stOwawsy deser.
ters. After all the known places OF con.
cealment were explored the searcherE
proceeded to complete their work by an
operation known as ''stinking 'em out. .
The '1stinkers" were made Of sheet iron
shaped like warming pans, and we're filled
with live Goals. over which was sprinkled
some chemical substance which on com
bustion emitted an odOr at Oncs pungent
sickening and altogether diabOlical.
Whit OF this compound made me retreat
over the cotton bales piled on the deeE
to the bow where I watched the opera.
ton OF lowering the ''stinkers" dowl the
hatchways.
s.Phewl mon That smells like tn,
stinkbums the Chinese used to fling a
us" said the Scotch engineer, holding
his nostrils closed by his finger ant
thumb.
A little confusion around the hatchweJ
and a dirty, torlorn looking rebel soldier
his gray clothing and hair covered witt
flakes Of cotton, scrambled on deck. HI
was promptly put under guard.
ANY more down thereY' asked the
lieutenant sharply.
'Dunno, capting. I didn't seq none
went down there all alone"
The lieutenant appeared Modified by
the title Of ''capting," and then Orderet
the other hatchway ''stunk out" No 9th
er stowaways, however, rewarded tn
operation. Then he scanned the paper
and passports OF ali on board, took
glass Of wine with the captain in tn.
cabin and departed in e row boat witt
the men and prisoner.
The whistle sounded and the Fauny
steamed down the river. The paddl
wheels, which In revolving dived int
the water side wise and emerged in tn
same manner, like a fsathered oar, mad
no noise-a great desideratum in
blockade runner. The smOkestack, ate
q pun or two, showed neither sparks no
smoke-another great advantage at nigh
in slipping through a fleet Of cruiser
eager for their prey.
At Southville, on the river belOy
Wilmington, q white pilot came on boar,
and at once went to the Wheelhouse
Each blockade runner carried two pilots
one for Nassau or Bermuda and tn
other FOR the port Of Wilmington. Th
former were generally black men, anS
there was one Of these on board. Be
sides these important personRges eacl
blockade runner carried a signal man
who was generally a scion Of come vel
Known southern family, often a studen
from a military school, who could be 70
lied upon for retieenoe, courage and de
Votion 20 the southern cause. TIL
duties Of these striplings were extremely
simple.